Odessa Youth A True Hero

When most 7-year-olds spent their spring break last year playing catch and video games, Connor Rakoczy decided to help a family in need.

The Odessa Elementary student held a gum sale in his neighborhood last April that ended up raising money for a family who'd lost everything due to a fire.

Yesterday Connor was honored for his service when he won first place in St. Joseph's hospital's "Kids are Heroes" program. Connor took first place in his age group (5-8 years old.)

"I raised 700 dollars and gave it to them," Connor said. "My mom counted it."

Connor's mom Amy is a second grade teacher at Odessa Elementary. The fire happened to the family of one of her students.

"It was just a tremendous fire," Amy Rakoczy said. "I needed to do something for my students' family."

Connor had been telling his mom he wanted to be an entrepreneur and have a lemonade stand. But after some thought Connor and his mom decided gum would be easier to handle. The money they raised would go to the family whose house burned down.

Connor made a sign for his gum stand and posted it up in his Grey Hawk neighborhood in Odessa for five days straight.

"I sold bubble gum, Orbit gum, sugarless gum," Connor said. "And a lot of different ones."

The whole community showed support.

"People would see us and get out of their car and give us $20 cash," Rakoczy said. "I was so proud of my community."

After learning about what Connor had done over spring break, a guidance counselor at his school decided to nominate him for the Kids are Heroes award.

Since 1996, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital's annual Kids are Heroes program has recognized more than 1,300 children from Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties who have performed heroic deeds during the past year. 

Winners in each age category receive special gifts from St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and participating sponsors.

This year's awards banquet took place on Monday evening at St. Joseph's Hospital's Medical Arts Building. Emcee Jack Harris paid tribute to each hero by sharing their story of good citizenship. Guests enjoyed dinner and live entertainment during the awards ceremony.

For more information about St. Joseph's Kids are Heroes program go to this link.